Comparing Three Specific Works of Art - Research Paper Example

 Three Specific Works of Art Introduction The expressionist movement in Germany started at the time when Fauvisms had gained support. Artists such as Kirtchner who were inclined to fauvism used bright colors as a means of expressing their imagination (Walther, 2003). For instance, the German expressionists were concerned with increasing the emotional landscape of art through emphasizes on the subjective feeling of what was often portrayed as the objective feelings. This paper seeks to discuss the expressionists’ works of Henri Matisse, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, and Paula Modersohn-Becker Body Henri Matisse was the father of the wild beast movement that was on many occasions referred to as the fauve movement (Walther, 2003). During his tenure, the animal symbolism was created and this made him be viewed as one of the foundation artists for that genre. During the transformation period, Matisse was entangled it and this lead to the birth of the great artist (Walther, 2003). In the initial early stages artists were involved in the painting of still images, as well as tutorial landscapes that lacked the influence of the wild beast. Moreover, Henri Matisse was accredited for the paintings, as well as the cut outs often seen as real pictures independent of any constructed activities. As such, he was the first artist to be accredited for the works involving ornately- decorated portraits. For instance, the dance, stood as an example for the splendid masterpieces that were created by Henri Matisse in his lifetime (Walther, 2003). Furthermore, Henri Matisse produced close to 50 bronze sculptures, which made him stand out as one of the great sculpture of that time (Kobbi, 1990). Indeed he was overheard admitting that his desire for bronze originated from David’s work. As widely noted travelling formed a large factor for the young and impressionable artist (Kobbi, 1990). It cannot be negated that Henri Matisse wanted to be a lawyer during the early stage of his career. As such his role was directed by the constant dreams emerging out as a great lawyer. However, with the discovery of an artistic stroke, the schooling life came to an end (Kobbi, 1990). It is important to note that, he became more influential in 1905. During this period, Henri Matisse worked with an artistic friend in color France. Following that, his color stroke emerged out which eventually formed the basis for open window works. Later on the view through the common window stood out as the most recurring theme within the work of Henri Matisse. This eventually opened the doors for great works such as the flowerpot’s’ and open window. Lastly, at the age of 25 Matisse embraced patterns and incorporated them in some of his works such as the Red studio. Henri Matisse formulated a number of philosophies among them, the philosophy of art, he asserts that are is a selection of the recreation the real events due to the artist’s metaphysical weighty judgments. Indeed, he further asserts that humans should view themselves with the same magnitude with which they study a thought, sky or a tree since they are also linked to the sky. In the philosophy of pantheism Henri Matisse asserts that human beings form part of the whole normally referred to as the universe. During the decade, his country was healing from the post world war I ( he return to order period) this can be illustrated by his characteristic oriental’s odalisque paintings. Though Henri Matisse was popular, some critics found his work not only shallow but also decorative. It can also be noted that Henri Matisse adopted a more simplified form of presenting his artistic works through the paintings of the large Reclining nude and the cut out technique. His artistic talent enabled him to produce the black and white illustrations for a number of as well as the lithographs. As such, his artistic zeal was attributed to his daughters participation in the regime resistance. His artistic work was incorporated in the interior design of the windows as well as decorations. It is also important to note that a museum was established to cater for his artistic work. Indeed studies have shown that he designed the stained glass window for that time. Ernst Ludwig Kirchner took center stage in the group of the Die Brucke, which was succeeded in Berlin AND Dresben before the World War I. As such, he was the most influential Germanys expressionist. He was motivated by the anxiety that had taken control of his movement (the fears for the place of humanity in the post modern world and the loss of the feelings for authenticity and spirituality. Though he had a conflicting interests over the past and the present{he still went ahead to revive the wood art printing that made him join the German tradition since he was inspired by the a modern city but still rejected the academic styles. Later on his work involved a number of paintings mainly landscapes that eventually saw him to be ostracized from the German tradition. Additionally, during the reign of the Nazi the campaign against Degenerate art pushed him to commit suicide. By and large, Kirchner’s art was characterized by the human figure as such the figures were used as a backdrop for his studio. Notably, the studio brought memories of Berlin such that the demeanor of the street figures appeared to me more valuable as opposed to the surrounding landscape. As such, he depicted figures in movement as a better expression for the vitality and fullness of the human body. It should also be noted that, the Expressionistic paint handling represented a considerable reaction against the earlier own impressionism within the German paintings. Studies have pointed out that Henri Matisse was one of the pillars for his career. As such he adopted fauvism in directing of the palette as well as the encouragement to adopt flat unbroken areas and mix them with one more simplified color. It cannot be negated that Kirchner had a profound belief that was enlivening but also destructive that dwelt beneath western civilization since he had a belief that creativity was a means of harnessing it. Following his outlook on human beings, he went ahead to show that men and women were always at war with the environment or themselves. It should be noted that the idea of primitive art made him to consider revealing the form in a more simplified way. As such, he loved surfaces that were painted partially. It should be noted that, Kirchner’s expressionist work ganged international recognition From Kirchner's paintings, the flat 2D color regions having vertical diagonals symbolized the infinite while the elongated figures that were round in the belly having narrow legs symbolized the medieval influence (Walther, 2003). As such, his work of the wood cut often carved in a manner that was primitive thus reflecting the south sea as well as the African influence. It cannot be negated that primitivism alongside the uncorrupted simplification was a passionate appeal for the expressionist. Thus,, wood cut turned out to be the medium and thus it reached mass market. Moreover, Kirchner associated the purple color with spirituality since in the catholic church the color had often been identified with Christ. As such, he used the colors as an expression for the strong emotion he had. Paula Modersohn-Becker was a German artist and stood out as one of the pillars of early expressionism. She created pictures with masterly intensity. It should be noted that the, her mother provided offered a cultural as well as a conducive environment within the house hold. Notably, Modersohn-Becker had a passion for painting even in her early stages, where she tutored by Fritz Mackensen. She focused on landscape and the life of a farmer. Through the works of poorhouse woman having a glass bottle, , fauve influences were depicted. She drew a nude portrait of herself and portraits of her friends. It should be noted that expressionism was directed at revealing the meaning of being alive as well as the emotional experience rather than the physical reality. Expressionism was depicted through literature paintings, film, theater, music, film and architecture. As such the expressionists stressed on the idea that individual perspective to some extent was based on the naturalism, impressionism and positivism. It is important to note that painting can be naturalistic and as such a representational of the landscape or still life, abstract, symbolism, political nature and emotion (Kobbi, 1990). Comparisons both Henri Matisse and Ernst Ludwig Kitchener were the leaders in modern painting in France and Germany respectively. To begin with, they lived at the time of the social instability due to the wars and the advent of industrialization. Moreover, Matisse paintings were referred to as fauve while Kitchener, published materials that pointed out his goals for the society. Both artists revealed their inner feelings irrespective of whatever the saw. Indeed, imagination served as the pillar for the development of art. Matisse pointed out the influence of the Divisionist artists through the paintings having a flat form and visible independent colors. As such,the paintings of simple nude figure on a landscape pointed out his interest in canvas decoration, as opposed to the 3D form. Notably, Kitchener was inspired by the intense color I the Fauve paintings. Moreover, Divisionist influence was depicted by the trees in the Autumn since the deep colors were painted separately. Kirchner had an interest in the wood cut drawings which depicted the dramatic scenes in the apocalypse. His art worked in harmony with wood cut that eventually translated to the paintings as it can be seen in the outlined forms of the red tower and the museum. Notably, he eliminated the perspective view from the drawings. On the other hand, ,Matisse removed the perspective from the canvas though he used surface decoration m outline, and flat color in the blue still life. By and large, the two artists made emphasizes on the flat surface as well as the 2D quality of a subject through the paintings of flat color, as such they both used the outline in the demarcation thus the subject was set close to the canvas as opposed to the painted setting (Kobbi, 1990). Notably, their drawings drew the viewer to the color rather the subject. Moreover, Kirchner’s brushstrokes pointed out the dramatic expression of the artists as he presented his inner feelings to the paintings. Notably, the portrait of Heckle revealed imagination, as opposed to the visual sense. It should be noted that Matisse always painted anything that was before him having a personal sense of truth while Kirchner always conjured up the visions from his imaginations, It can also be observed that, they were fascinated by the African and the oceanic artifacts and eventually they used them in their work. Indeed this artifacts represented a more simplified but distorted form (Paoletti & Radke, 2005). Both artists used primitive images such that Kirchner’s work brought mystery and drama though it resembled Matisse painting with much simplicity and harmony. Furthermore, they both painted women in their lifetime,. For instance Matisse made portrait by painting and sculpturing females. Kirchner always painted women depicting the hostile environment they live in as such he drew this women through imagination while Matisse paintings did not show any harsh environment (Paoletti & Radke, 2005). Matisse did not depict any threat in his work despite the unfortunate circumstances that he went through during his life time. For instance, his daughter was imprisoned by the regime for participation in the French resistance (Walther, 2003). While Kitcheners drawing constantly revealed the hostile environment around him, Kirchner’s expressed his emotion in the paintings while Matisse often withheld the emotions and did not lose the focus for his paintings. Both artists were also driven by the desire to create form, for instance, in the old age of Matisse, he cut out paper shapes resembling fauve colors, and also sculpted a female form while Kirchner was involved in carving wood cuts such as that for two nude girls playing in which distortion was revealed (Walther, 2003). It can also be seen that Kirchner painted a considerable number of sculptures while Matisse concentrated on form, especially the female form. Kitchener’s art was affected by the circumstances, thus pointing out a sense of loneliness, alienation and an unreal environment. It is evident in most of the landscapes. As such his work was classified as degenerate art by the Nazi regime. On the other hand, Matisse was influenced by external factors, however, the political change made him to retreat from the reality and later on committed suicide (Walther, 2003). References Kobbi, H. 1990. Notes of a Painter’ in Harrison, & Wood, Art in Theory 1900-1990. New York: Harvard University publishers. Paoletti, K & Radke, M. 2005. An Anthology of Changing Ideas, Blackwell, 2001, p.72. Walther, K. 2003. Artists in Profile, Expressionists. London: Heinemann Library. Read More